Liquid discharging device and method for performing maintenance of liquid discharging device

ABSTRACT

A liquid discharging device includes a head, a cap, a first wiper, a discharge channel, and a controller. The head ejects liquid from a nozzle. The cap is configured to abut against a nozzle surface at a covered position and to separate from the nozzle surface in a retracted position. The first wiper wipes the nozzle surface. The discharge channel connects an internal space of the cap to an outside of the cap. The controller executes a first maintenance process and a second maintenance process. In the first maintenance process, a first maintenance liquid contacts the cap in the retracted position and the first wiper. In the second maintenance process, a second maintenance liquid different from the first maintenance liquid is distributed to the internal space of the cap and the discharge channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2022-060423 filed Mar. 31, 2022, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a liquid discharging device thatperforms maintenance on a cap covering a nozzle surface of a head and ona wiper that wipes the nozzle surface, and a method for performingmaintenance of a liquid discharging device.

BACKGROUND ART

The inkjet input-output device described is known as a liquiddischarging device that ejects liquid from the nozzles of a head andprints on a sheet, for example. The inkjet recording device, forexample, has capping means for capping a nozzle opening of the head. Theinkjet recording device caps the nozzle openings after cleaning theinside of channels of the capping means with a cleaning liquid when thepower is shut off.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid dischargingdevice, includes: a head to eject liquid from a nozzle which is anopening in a nozzle surface of the head, a cap configured to abutagainst the nozzle surface at a covered position and to separate fromthe nozzle surface in a retracted position, a first wiper to wipe thenozzle surface, a discharge channel connecting an internal space of thecap to an outside of the cap, and a controller. The controller executes:a first maintenance process in which a first maintenance liquid isbrought into contact with the cap in the retracted position and thefirst wiper, and a second maintenance process in which a secondmaintenance liquid different from the first maintenance liquid isdistributed to the internal space of the cap and the discharge channel.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method forperforming maintenance of a liquid discharging device, includes:bringing a first maintenance liquid into contact with a first wiper anda cap positioned in a retracted position separated from a nozzle surfaceof a head of a liquid discharging device; and providing a secondmaintenance liquid different from the first maintenance liquid to aninternal space of the cap and a discharge channel connecting theinternal space and an outside of the cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an appearance perspective view of an image recording device100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the II-II cross section ofFIG. 1 , indicating a state in which the head 38 is at a recordingposition, the first support mechanism 51 is at a first orientation, andthe maintenance mechanism 60 is at a standby position.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the upperhousing 31 in FIG. 2 is in an open position.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the head 38.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the first support mechanism 51 and the secondsupport mechanism 52 in the second orientation.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the first support mechanism 51 and maintenancemechanism 60 in the second orientation.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a maintenance mechanism 60.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the maintenance mechanism 60.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid channel 153 of thesupport base 61 cut along a plane parallel to the flow direction of theliquid channel 153.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of caps 62A, 62B, 62C in a maintenanceposition.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the wiper cleaning mechanism 80 as seenfrom a diagonally lower side.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the support member 81.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the lid member 82.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the wipercleaning mechanism 80.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the engaging part 93 ofthe lid member 82 and the operating part 92.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an image recording device 100.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the II-II cross sectionof FIG. 1 , indicating a state in which the head 38 is at a cappedposition, the first support mechanism 51 is at a first orientation, andthe maintenance mechanism 60 is at a maintenance position.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the II-II cross sectionof FIG. 1 , indicating a state in which the head 38 is at a wipingposition, the first support mechanism 51 is at a first orientation, andthe maintenance mechanism 60 is at a wiping position.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the II-II cross sectionof FIG. 1 , indicating a state in which the head 38 is at a recordingposition, the first support mechanism 51 is at a second orientation, andthe maintenance mechanism 60 is at a position supported by the firstsupport mechanism 51.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the II-II cross sectionof FIG. 1 , indicating a state in which the head 38 is at a recordingposition, the first support mechanism 51 is at a second orientation, andthe maintenance mechanism 60 is at a position between the standbyposition and the maintenance position.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the II-II cross sectionof FIG. 1 , indicating a state in which the head 38 is at a recordingposition, the first support mechanism 51 is at a second orientation, andthe maintenance mechanism 60 is at a standby position.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the II-II cross sectionof FIG. 1 , indicating a state in which the head 38 is at a recordingposition, the first support mechanism 51 is at a second orientation, andthe maintenance mechanism 60 is at a retracted position.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the II-II cross sectionof FIG. 1 , indicating a state in which the head 38 is at a recordingposition, the first support mechanism 51 is at a first orientation, andthe maintenance mechanism 60 is at a retracted position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the words “a” and “an” and the like carry the meaning of“one or more.” When an amount, concentration, or other value orparameter is given as a range, and/or its description includes a list ofupper and lower values, this is to be understood as specificallydisclosing all integers and fractions within the given range, and allranges formed from any pair of any upper and lower values, regardless ofwhether subranges are separately disclosed. Where a range of numericalvalues is recited herein, unless otherwise stated, the range is intendedto include the endpoints thereof, as well as all integers and fractionswithin the range. As an example, a stated range of 1-10 fully describesand includes the independent subrange 3.4 - 7.2 as does the followinglist of values: 1, 4, 6, 10.

(1) The liquid discharging device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure contains a head that ejects liquid from a nozzle,which is an opening a nozzle surface has, a cap that contacts the nozzlesurface in the covered position and separates from the nozzle surface inthe retracted position, a first wiper that wipes the nozzle surface, adischarge channel that connects the internal space of the cap to theoutside, and a controller. The controller performs a first maintenanceprocess of bringing the first maintenance liquid into contact with thecap and the first wiper in the retracted position, and a secondmaintenance process of distributing the second maintenance liquid, whichis different from the first maintenance liquid, into the internal spaceof the cap and the discharge channel.

Liquid ejected from the nozzle of the head can adhere to caps and thelike. For example, liquid may remain in the internal space or channelsof the cap, or liquid may adhere to a part of the cap that comes incontact with the nozzle surface. The first maintenance liquid cleans thecap and the first wiper, and the second maintenance liquid cleans theinternal space of the cap and the discharge channel; therefore,maintenance is performed, suitable for each member to which the liquidejected from the nozzle has adhered.

(2) The liquid discharging device may also contain a water-absorbentcleaning member that retains the first maintenance liquid; and thecontroller may bring the cleaning member into contact with the cappositioned in the retracted position and the first wiper, during thefirst maintenance process.

(3) The liquid discharging device may also contain a tank that storesthe second maintenance liquid and a supply channel that supplies liquidfrom the tank to the internal space of the cap. In the above secondmaintenance process, the controller may cause the second maintenanceliquid supplied to the internal space of the cap through the supplychannel to flow to the discharge channel.

The internal space of the cap and the discharge channel, where liquidejected from the nozzle tends to adhere, is cleaned by the secondmaintenance liquid.

(4) The controller may execute a third maintenance process in which thesecond maintenance liquid is stored in the internal space of the cappositioned in the covered position.

The internal space of the cap in the covered position is maintained at ahigh humidity, making it difficult for the liquid to dry out in thenozzle.

(5) The controller may cause: the second maintenance liquid to flow intothe internal space of the cap at a first flow velocity, in the secondmaintenance process, and the second maintenance liquid to flow into theinternal space of the cap at a second flow velocity, in the thirdmaintenance process; wherein the second flow velocity is slower than thefirst flow velocity.

In the third maintenance process, the second maintenance liquid is lesslikely to overflow from the internal space of the cap.

(6) The controller may perform a fourth maintenance process in which thenozzle surface is wiped by the first wiper.

Liquid adhering to the nozzle surface is wiped off.

(7) The liquid discharging device may also include a water-absorbentsecond wiper; wherein the second wiper holds the second maintenanceliquid, and the controller cleans the nozzle surface by bringing thesecond wiper into contact with the nozzle surface in the fourthmaintenance process.

(8) The controller may cause the first wiper to wipe the nozzle surfaceafter the second wiper has cleaned the nozzle surface in the fourthmaintenance process.

(9) The liquid discharging device may also contain a channel forsupplying the second maintenance liquid to the second wiper; wherein thecontroller supplies the second maintenance liquid to the second wiperthrough the channel, and then discharges the second maintenance liquidfrom the above channel in the fourth maintenance process.

(10) The liquid discharging device may also contain a plurality of theheads, a plurality of the caps, supply and discharge channels connectedto each of the internal spaces of the caps, a suction pump provided ineach of the discharge channels, and a motor; wherein the controllerdrives the motor to operate the suction pump, and the sum of the volumeof the supply channel, the volume upstream of the suction pump in thedischarge channel, and the volume of the internal space of the cap isequal for each of the plurality of caps.

The amount of second maintenance liquid that flows into the internalspace of each cap can be equalized by operating a plurality of suctionpumps while using a common motor to drive a plurality of suction pumps.

(11) The viscosity of the first maintenance liquid may be greater thanthe viscosity of the second maintenance liquid.

The second maintenance liquid facilitates cleaning the internal space ofthe cap and the discharge channel.

(12) The evaporation rate of the first maintenance liquid may be lowerthan the evaporation rate of the second maintenance liquid.

The first maintenance liquid does not readily evaporate from thecleaning member.

(13) A water-soluble organic solvent included in the first maintenanceliquid in the maximum amount may be the same as a water-soluble organicsolvent included in the second maintenance liquid in the maximum amount.

When the first maintenance liquid and the second maintenance liquid aremixed, agglomeration or the like will not readily occur.

(14) The liquid ejected by the nozzle may contain resin microparticlesand water.

(15) The viscosity V1 of the first maintenance liquid, the viscosity V2of the second maintenance liquid, and the viscosity V3 of the liquidejected by the nozzle may have a relationship such that: viscosity V1 >viscosity V3 > viscosity V2.

(16) The surface tension T1 of the first maintenance liquid may begreater than the surface tension T3 of the liquid ejected by the nozzle;and the surface tension T2 of the second maintenance liquid may begreater than the surface tension T3.

(17) The evaporation rate E1 of the first maintenance liquid, theevaporation rate E2 of the second maintenance liquid, and theevaporation rate E3 of the liquid ejected from the nozzle may be in arelationship such that: evaporation rate E3 > evaporation rate E2 >evaporation rate E1.

(18) The present disclosure may provide a maintenance method, including:a first maintenance step of bringing the first wiper and the cappositioned in a retracted position separated from the nozzle surface ofthe head into contact with a cleaning member that holds the firstmaintenance liquid; and a second maintenance step of providing a secondmaintenance liquid different from the first maintenance liquid to theinternal space of the cap and the discharge channel connected tointernal space.

The present disclosure can perform optimal maintenance for caps andwipers to which a liquid ejected from a nozzle adheres.

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below.Note that the present embodiment naturally is merely one Embodiment ofthe present disclosure, and that the Embodiment can be changed to anextent that the gist of the present disclosure is not altered. In thefollowing description, the vertical direction 7 is defined based on thestate in which the image recording device 100 is installed for use (thestate in FIG. 1 ), the front-to-back direction 8 is defined with theside on which the discharge port 33 is provided as the close side (frontside), and the left-right direction 9 is defined as viewed from theclose side (front) of the image recording device 100.

External Configuration of Image Recording Device 100

An image recording device 100 (an example of a liquid dischargingdevice) illustrated in FIG. 1 records an image on a sheet S forming arolled body 37 (see FIG. 2 ) by an inkjet recording method.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the image recording device 100 includes ahousing 30. The housing 30 has an upper housing 31 and a lower housing32. The upper housing 31 and the lower housing 32 are generally arectangular body as a whole, and are large enough to be placed on adesk. In other words, the image recording device 100 is suitable for usewhile being placed on a desk. Of course, the image recording device 100may be placed on the floor or on a rack for use.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the housing 30 is divided into an internalspace 31A inside the upper housing 31 and an internal space 32A insidethe lower housing 32, as seen from the outside.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the upper housing 31 is rotatablysupported by the lower housing 32. The upper housing 31 is rotatablearound a rotation shaft 15 that is provided on a rear lower end part andextends in the left-right direction 9, between a closed positionillustrated in FIG. 2 and an open position illustrated in FIG. 3 .

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , a slit-shaped discharge port 33 elongated inthe left-right direction 9 is formed in the front surface 32F of thelower housing 32. A sheet S on which an image has been recorded (seeFIG. 2 ) is discharged from the discharge port 33.

An operating panel 44 is provided on the front surface 31F of the upperhousing 31. The user provides inputs to the operating panel 44 tooperate the image recording device 100 and confirms various settings.The operating panel 44 has a display part 44A for indicating that a lidmember 82, which will be described later, is mounted on the supportmember 81.

Internal Configuration of Image Recording Device 100

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the internal spaces 31A and 32A include aholder 35, a tensioner 45, a transport roller pair 36, a transportroller pair 40, a head 38, a first support mechanism 51, a heater 39, asupport part 46, a second support mechanism 52, CIS 25, a cutter unit26, an ink tank 34, a cleaning liquid tank 76, a waste liquid tank 77, amaintenance mechanism 60, a wiper cleaning mechanism 80, and acontroller 130 (see FIG. 16 ). Although not illustrated in FIG. 2 , thecontroller 130 is provided in the internal space 32A (see FIG. 16 ). Thecontroller 130 controls operation of the image recording device 100.

A partition wall 41 is provided in the internal space 32A. The partitionwall 41 partitions the rear lower portion of the internal space 32A todefine the sheet storage space 32C. The sheet storage space 32C isenclosed by the partition wall 41 and the lower housing 32.

A roll body 37 is stored in the sheet storage space 32C. The roll body37 has a core tube and a long sheet S. The sheet S is wound around thecore tube in a roll shape in the circumferential direction of the axisof the core tube.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , a holder 35 extending in the left-rightdirection 9 is positioned in the sheet storage space 32C. When mounted,the holder 35 supports the roll body 37 so that the axis of the coretube of the roll body 37 is in the left-right direction 9 and the rollbody 37 is rotatable around the axis in the circumferential direction.The holder 35 is rotated by a driving force transmitted from a transportmotor 53 (see FIG. 16 ). As the holder 35 rotates, the roll body 37supported by the holder 35 also rotates.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the sheet storage space 32C opens upward at arear portion. A gap 42 is formed between the partition wall 41 and therear surface 32B, that is, above a rear end of the roll body 37. As thetransport roller pairs 36 and 40 rotate, the sheet S is drawn upwardfrom the rear end of the roll body 37 and guided to the tensioner 45through the gap 42.

The tensioner 45 is positioned above the partition wall 41 in the rearportion of the internal space 32A. The tensioner 45 has an outerperipheral surface 45A facing the outside of the lower housing 32. Theupper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A is positioned atsubstantially the same vertical position as a nip D of the transportroller pair 36 in the vertical direction 7.

The sheet S pulled out from the roll body 37 is caught on and abutsagainst the outer peripheral surface 45A. The sheet S curves forwardalong the outer peripheral surface 45A, extends in the transportdirection 8A, and is guided by the transport roller pair 36. Thetransport direction 8A is forward along the front-to-back direction 8.

The transport roller pair 36 is positioned in front of the tensioner 45.The transport roller pair 36 has a transport roller 36A and a pinchroller 36B. The transport roller 36A and the pinch roller 36B form a nipD by contacting each other at substantially the same vertical positionas the upper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A.

A transport roller pair 40 is positioned in front of the transportroller pair 36. The transport roller pair 40 has a transport roller 40Aand a pinch roller 40B. The transport roller 40A and the pinch roller40B contact each other at substantially the same vertical position asthe upper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A to form a nip.

The transport rollers 36A, 40A are rotated by a driving forcetransmitted from the transport motor 53 (see FIG. 16 ). The transportroller pair 36 nips and rotates the sheet S extending from the tensioner45 in the transport direction 8A, thereby feeding the sheet S along thetransport surface 43A of the transport path 43, described below, in thetransport direction 8A. The transport roller pair 40 nips and rotatesthe sheet S fed from the transport roller pair 36 to feed the sheet S inthe transport direction 8A. Furthermore, the sheet S is pulled out fromthe sheet storage space 32C toward the tensioner 45 through the gap 42due to the rotation of the transport roller pairs 36 and 40.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , a transport path 43 extending from the upperend of the outer peripheral surface 45A to the discharge port 33 isformed in the internal space 32A. The transport path 43 extendssubstantially linearly along the transport direction 8A, and is a spacethrough which the sheet S can pass. Specifically, the transport path 43is along the transport direction 8A and the transport surface 43Aextending in the left-right direction 9 and extending in the transportdirection 8A. Note that in FIG. 2 , the transport surface 43A isindicated by a two-pointed chain line indicating the transport path 43.The transport path 43 is partitioned by guide members (not illustrated)which are positioned spaced apart in the vertical direction 7, a head38, a transport belt 101, a support part 46, a heater 39, and the like.In other words, the head 38, the transport belt 101, the supporting part46, and the heater 39 are positioned along the transport path 43.

The head 38 is positioned above the transport path 43 and downstream ofthe transport roller pair 36 in the transport direction 8A. The head 38has a plurality of nozzles 38A that open on a nozzle surface 50 (seeFIG. 4 ). Ink (one example of the liquid) is ejected downward from theplurality of nozzles 38A toward the sheet S supported by the transportbelt 101. Thus, an image is recorded on the sheet S. The configurationof the head 38 will be described later.

The first support mechanism 51 is positioned downstream of the transportroller pair 36 in the transport direction 8A and below the transportpath 43. The first support mechanism 51 faces the head 38 and is belowthe head 38. The first support mechanism 51 has a transport belt 101 anda support member 104. The transport belt 101 supports the sheet S whichis transported in the transport direction 8A by the transport rollerpair 36 and positioned immediately below the head 38. The transport belt101 transports the supported sheet S in the transport direction 8A. Thesupport member 104 can support the maintenance mechanism 60. Theconfiguration of the first support mechanism 51 is described later.

The heater 39 is positioned downstream of the head 38 in the transportdirection 8A and upstream of the transport roller pair 40 in thetransport direction 8A below the transport path 43. The heater 39 issupported by the frame in front of the first support mechanism 51 andextends in the left-right direction 9. The heater 39 has a heat transferplate (not illustrated) and a film heater (not illustrated). The heattransfer plate is composed of metal, and has support surfaces extendingin the front, rear, left, and right directions at substantially the samevertical positions as the transport surface 108 of the transport belt101. The sheet S delivered from the first support mechanism 51 istransported forward on the support surface of the heat transfer plate. Afilm heater is fixed to the lower surface of the heat transfer plate andgenerates heat as controlled by the controller 130. This heat istransferred to the sheet S on the heat transfer plate via the heattransfer plate. In addition, heat from the heater 39 is recovered by aduct 145 provided above the heater 39.

The duct 145 is provided above the transport path 43, downstream of thehead 38 in the transport direction 8A and upstream of the transportroller pair 40.

The support part 46 is positioned below the transport path 43. Thesupport part 46 is positioned downstream of the head 38 and the firstsupport mechanism 51 in the transport direction 8A. A heater 39 ispositioned on a rear portion of the support part 46. A front portion ofthe support part 46 faces the transport roller 40A. The support part 46is positioned upstream of the cutter unit 26 in the transport direction8A.

The support part 46 is supported by the lower housing 32 so as to berotatable about a shaft (not illustrated) extending in the left-rightdirection 9. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , when the upper housing 31 is inthe open position, the support part 46 can be rotated between ahorizontal position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3 and thevertical position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 3 .

When the support part 46 is in the horizontal position, the pivot tipend 46B of the support part 46 is positioned forward (downstream in thetransport direction 8A) of the pivot base end 46A. When the support part46 is in the horizontal position, the support part 46 constitutes aportion of the transport path 43 and can support the sheet S transportedin the transport direction 8A by the transport belt 101. When thesupport part 46 is in the vertical position, the pivot tip end 46B ofthe support part 46 is positioned higher than when the support part 46is in the horizontal position, such that the maintenance mechanism 60can be exposed to the outside. The shaft of the support part 46 isprovided at the rear end part of the support part 46 and extends in theleft-right direction 9.

The second support mechanism 52 is supported by the lower housing 32 soas to be movable in an orthogonal direction 10 orthogonal to the slopingdirection 6 and the left-right direction 9. The second support mechanism52 can support the maintenance mechanism 60. The configuration of thesecond support mechanism 52 is described later.

The CIS 25 is positioned above the transport path 43 and downstream ofthe transport roller pair 40 in the transport direction 8A. The CIS 25can read an image on a printed surface of a sheet.

The cutter unit 26 is positioned above the transport path 43 anddownstream of the CIS 25 in the transport direction 8A. The cutter unit26 has a cutter 28 mounted on a cutter carriage 27. Movement of thecutter 28 cuts the sheet S positioned on the transport path 43 along theleft-right direction 9.

The ink tank 34 stores ink. Ink is a liquid containing pigments and thelike. Ink is supplied from the ink tank 34 to the head 38 through a tubenot illustrated in the drawings. The tube connecting the ink tank 34 tothe head 38 is provided with an ink valve 142 (see FIG. 16 ). The inkvalve 142 opens and closes the channel which is the internal space ofthe tube.

The cleaning liquid tank 76 stores the second maintenance liquid. Thesecond maintenance liquid is used to clean the nozzle 38A and nozzlesurface 50 of the head 38. The cleaning liquid tank 76 is positionedbelow the second support mechanism 52, as described later. The cleaningliquid tank 76 has an atmospheric connecting channel 140 (see FIG. 2 )that connects an air layer formed in the tank to the outside. Thecleaning liquid tank 76 has a cleaning liquid distribution valve thatopens and closes the atmospheric connecting channel 140. The wasteliquid tank 77 is a container where the second maintenance liquid isdischarged.

The maintenance mechanism 60 is for performing maintenance on the head38. The maintenance mechanism 60 is configured to be movable, and ismoved directly below the head 38 when maintenance of the head 38 isperformed (see FIG. 17 ).

Maintenance of the head 38 includes a purge process, cap cleaning,wiping, and the like. Purge process is, as illustrated in FIG. 17 , aprocess of covering the nozzle surface 50 with a cap 62 of themaintenance mechanism 60, which will be described later, and thensucking ink from the nozzles 38A using a suction pump 74. The capcleaning process is a process of cleaning the nozzle surface 50 of thehead 38 with the second maintenance liquid sent into the internal spaces67A, 67B, and 67C (see FIG. 10 ) of the cap 62 while the nozzle surface50 is covered with the cap 62. Wiping is a process of wiping the nozzlesurface 50 of the head 38 with a sponge wiper (one example of thewater-absorbent second wiper) 64 of the maintenance mechanism 60, asillustrated in FIG. 18 . The configuration of the maintenance mechanism60 will be described later.

The wiper cleaning mechanism 80 is for cleaning the rubber wiper (oneexample of the first wiper) 63 of the maintenance mechanism 60. Themaintenance mechanism 60 is moved directly below the wiper cleaningmechanism 80 when the rubber wiper 63 is to be cleaned. Theconfiguration of the wiper cleaning mechanism 80 is described later.

Head 38

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the head 38 has a substantiallyrectangular body shape elongated in the left-right direction 9. The head38 includes a frame 48 and three ejecting modules 49A, 49B, 49C.Hereinafter, the three ejecting modules 49A, 49B, and 49C are alsocollectively referred to as ejecting module 49. Note that the number ofejecting modules 49 is not limited to three, and may be, for example,one.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the ejecting module 49 is supported bythe frame 48. The lower surface of the ejecting module 49 is exposeddownward. The ejecting module 49 is arranged in the transport path 43 inthe left-right direction 9.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the ejecting modules 49A and 49B are providedat the same position in the transport direction 8A. The ejecting modules49A and 49B are arranged with a space therebetween in the left-rightdirection 9. The ejecting module 49C is arranged downstream of theejecting modules 49A and 49B in the transport direction 8A. The ejectingmodule 49C is provided between the two adjacent ejecting modules 49A and49B in the left-right direction 9. The left end of the ejecting module49C is positioned leftward from the right end of the ejecting module49A. The right end of the ejecting module 49C is positioned right fromthe left end of the ejecting module 49B. In other words, in theleft-right direction 9, the end part of the ejecting module 49C and theend part of the ejecting modules 49A and 49B overlap.

Each ejecting module 49A, 49B, 49C contains a plurality of nozzles 38A.Each nozzle 38A is opened on the nozzle surface 50 of each ejectingmodule 49A, 49B, 49C. The nozzle surface 50 is a surface extending inthe front-to-back direction 8 and the left-right direction 9. Asdescribed above, ink is ejected downward from the plurality of nozzles38A toward the sheet S supported by the transport belt 101 of the firstsupport mechanism 51, and an image is recorded on the sheet S.

The head 38 is illustrated along the vertical direction 7, and moves tothe recording position illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 21 , the cappedposition illustrated in FIG. 17 , the wiping position illustrated by thesolid lines in FIG. 18 , and the uncapped position illustrated by thedashed line in FIG. 18 . The recording position is the position of thehead 38 when recording an image on the sheet S supported by thetransport belt 101. The capped position is the position of the head 38when the ejecting module 49 is covered with the cap 62 of themaintenance mechanism 60. The capped position is a position above therecording position (a position farther from the first support mechanism51 than the recording position). The wiping position is the position ofthe head 38 when the sponge wiper 64 of the maintenance mechanism 60wipes the nozzle surface 50 of the ejecting module 49. The wipingposition is a position higher than the capped position. The uncappedposition is the position of the head 38 when the head 38 is completelyseparated from the maintenance mechanism 60. The uncapped position is aposition above the wiping position.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the head 38 is moved by the ball screw 29.The ball screw 29 has a screw shaft 29A and a nut member 29B. The screwshaft 29A is supported by the lower housing 32 so as to be rotatableabout an axis extending in the vertical direction 7. The screw shaft 29Arotates when a driving force is transmitted from a head motor 54 (seeFIG. 16 ). The nut member 29B moves upward by the forward rotation ofthe screw shaft 29A, and moves downward by the reverse rotation of thescrew shaft 29A. Note that the configuration for vertically moving thehead 38 is not limited to the configuration using the ball screw 29, andvarious other known configurations can be adopted.

First Support Mechanism 51

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6 , the first support mechanism 51includes a transport belt 101, a drive roller 102, a driven roller 103,a support member 104, a gear 105, and a gear 106. Note that the teeth ofthe gears 105 and 106 are omitted in the figures.

The drive roller 102 and the driven roller 103 are rotatably supportedby a support member 104. The drive roller 102 and the driven roller 103are separated from each other in the front-to-back direction 8(transport direction 8A). The transport belt 101 is an endless belt. Atransport belt 101 is stretched over the drive roller 102 and the drivenroller 103. The transport belt 101 is arranged in the transport path 43in the left-right direction 9.

The drive roller 102 is rotated by a driving force provided by thetransport motor 53 (see FIG. 16 ) to rotate the transport belt 101. Asthe transport belt 101 rotates, the driven roller 103 rotates. Thetransport belt 101 has a transport surface 108. The transport surface108 is the upper portion of the outer peripheral surface of thetransport belt 101 and extends along the transport direction 8A. Thetransport surface 108 faces the nozzles 38A of the head 38 with thetransport path 43 interposed therebetween. The transport surface 108applies a transport force to the sheet S while supporting the sheet Stransported between the pair of transport rollers 36 and 40 from below.As a result, the transport belt 101 transports the sheet S positioned onthe transport path 43 in the transport direction 8A along the transportsurface 108.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 , the support member 104 has a shaft 109A. The shaft 109A is rotatably supported by the lower housing 32. Theshaft 109A extends in the left-right direction 9 (directionperpendicular to the transport direction 8A and parallel to the nozzlesurface 50 of the ejecting module 49). The shaft 109A is providedupstream of the drive roller 102 in the transport direction 8A. Theshaft 109A is positioned below the transport roller pair 36.

The shaft 109A is rotated by a driving force transmitted from a shaftmotor 59 (see FIG. 16 ). As the shaft 109A rotates, the support member104 rotates around the shaft 109A. The pivot tip end 51A of the firstsupport mechanism 51 is positioned downstream in the transport direction8A from the shaft 109A.

The support member 104 has a first orientation parallel to the nozzlesurface 50 of the ejecting module 49 (see FIG. 2 ), and a secondorientation where the support member 104 is oblique around the shaft109A as the center from the first orientation, and a pivot tip end 51Ais positioned below the shaft 109, such that the orientation can bealtered (see FIG. 19 ).

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the transport surface 108 of the transportbelt 101 extends along the front-to-back direction 8 when the firstsupport mechanism 51 is in the first orientation. As a result, thetransport belt 101 can transport the sheet S positioned on the transportpath 43 forward to the support part 46.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 19 to FIG. 21 , when the first supportmechanism 51 is in the second orientation, the transport surface 108 ofthe transport belt 101 extends along a downward sloping direction 6toward the front. Note that the sloping direction 6 is perpendicular tothe left-right direction 9 and intersects the transport direction 8A.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the support member 104 has a main body109 and vertical walls 110, 111. Note that in the following descriptionof the support member 104, it is assumed that the first supportmechanism 51 is in the second orientation. The main body 109 is agenerally a plate-shaped member, and has a shaft 109A. The vertical wall110 rises upward from the left end part of the main body 109. Thevertical wall 111 rises upward from the right end part of the main body109. The vertical walls 110, 111 extend along a sloping direction 6.

The vertical walls 110, 111 are provided outside the transport path 43in the left-right direction 9. The vertical walls 110, 111 rotatablysupport the drive roller 102 and driven roller 103.

The vertical wall 110 has an upper surface 110A. The vertical wall 111has a first upper surface 111A and a second upper surface 111B. Thesecond upper surface 111B is in a different position in the left-rightdirection 9 than the first upper surface 111A. The upper surface 110Aand the first upper surface 111A support the maintenance mechanism 60 toslidably support the movement of the maintenance mechanism 60. Asillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 8 , the second upper surface 111B is in aposition that can face the rack 154, described later, in the maintenancemechanism 60. An opening 112 is formed in the second upper surface 111B.A portion of gear 105A protrudes upward from the opening 112. Gear 105Acan engage with the rack 154 which is in an opposing position.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 , gears 105 and 106 are rotatablysupported by the support member 104 of first support mechanism 51. Thegear 105 includes gears 105A and 105B, aligned along the left-rightdirection 9. Gear 105A and gear 105B are arranged to be mutuallycoaxial. Gear 105A rotates in unison with gear 105B. Gear 105B isengaged with gear 106. The gear 106 is connected to the first motor 55(see FIG. 16 ) directly or via another gear or the like, and is drivenby a driving force from the first motor 55.

Second Support Mechanism 52

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the second support mechanism 52 is providedin an overall sloping direction 6 and can be moved in an orthogonaldirection 10 by a ball screw 160. The ball screw 160 has a screw shaft161 and a nut member 162. Note that the ball screw 160 that drives thesecond support mechanism 52 is illustrated only in FIG. 2 , and isomitted in the other drawings.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 , the second support mechanism 52includes the main body 115, vertical walls 116, 117, and gears 118, 119,120. Note that the teeth of the gears 118, 119, 120 are omitted in thefigures.

The main body 115 is a generally a plate-shaped member. The screw shaft161 of the ball screw 160 is fixed to the main body 115, and is screwedto a nut member 162 fixed to a lower housing 32. The screw shaft 161rotates when a driving force is transmitted from vertical drive motor163 (see FIG. 16 ). Thereby, the main body 115 can move in theorthogonal direction 10. Note that the configuration for verticallymoving the head 38 is not limited to the configuration using the ballscrew 160, and various other known configurations can be adopted.

The vertical wall 116 rises upward from the left end part of the mainbody 115. The vertical wall 117 rises upward from the right end part ofthe main body 115. The vertical walls 116, 117 extend along a slopingdirection 6.

The vertical wall 116 is in the same position in the left-rightdirection 9 as the vertical wall 110 of the first support mechanism 51.The vertical wall 117 is in the same position in the left-rightdirection 9 as the vertical wall 111 of the first support mechanism 51.

The vertical wall 116 has an upper surface 116A. The vertical wall 117has a first upper surface 117A and a second upper surface 117B. Thesecond upper surface 117B is in a different position in the left-rightdirection 9 than the first upper surface 117A.

When the first support mechanism 51 is in the second orientation, thefirst upper surface 117A is aligned with the first upper surface 111A ofthe vertical wall 111 of the first support mechanism 51 along thesloping direction 6, and is on the same plane as the first upper surface111A. In other words, the first upper surface 117A and the first uppersurface 111A are aligned linearly. When the first support mechanism 51is in the second orientation, the second upper surface 117B is alignedwith the second upper surface 111B of the vertical wall 111 of the firstsupport mechanism 51 along the sloping direction 6, and is on the sameplane as the second upper surface 111B. In other words, the second uppersurface 117B and the second upper surface 111B are aligned linearly.

The upper surface 116A and the first upper surface 117A support themaintenance mechanism 60 to slidably support the movement of themaintenance mechanism 60. The second upper surface 117B is at a positionthat can face the rack 154 of the maintenance mechanism 60. Asillustrated in FIG. 5 , the second upper surface 117B has openings 123,124. The opening 124 is positioned forward of the opening 123. A portionof the gear 118 protrudes upward from the opening 123. A portion of thegear 119 protrudes upward from the opening 124. The gears 118, 119 canengage with the rack 154 which is in an opposing position.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 , gears 118, 119, 120 are rotatablysupported by the main body 115 of second support mechanism 52. The gear118 includes gears 118A and 118B, aligned along the left-right direction9. Gear 118A and gear 118B are arranged to be mutually coaxial. Gear118A rotates in unison with gear 118B. The gear 119 includes gears 119Aand 119B, aligned along the left-right direction 9. Gear 119A and gear119B are arranged to be mutually coaxial. Gear 119A rotates in unisonwith gear 119B. Gear 120 engages with gears 118B and 119B. Therefore,when gear 120 rotates, gears 118 and 119 rotate in the same direction.The gear 120 is connected to the second motor 56 (see FIG. 16 ) directlyor via another gear or the like, and is driven by a driving force fromthe second motor 56.

Maintenance Mechanism 60

As illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 , the maintenance mechanism 60includes a support base 61, a sponge wiper 64 (an example of a secondwiper), a rubber wiper 63 (an example of a first wiper), and a cap 62.Note that in the following description of the maintenance mechanism 60,it is assumed that the maintenance mechanism 60 is supported by thefirst support mechanism 51 in the second orientation and the secondsupport mechanism 52.

Support Base 61

The support base 61 has a base 61A, a main body 61B placed on the base61A, and a wiper holder 61C that holds the sponge wiper 64 and therubber wiper 63 on the main body 61B. The base 61A has a box shape withan open top. The base 61A includes a first bottom plate 121, a firstedge plate 122 standing vertical from the peripheral edge of the firstbottom plate 121, an extending piece 125, and a rack 154 (see FIG. 8 ).

The first bottom plate 121 has a flat plate shape extending in thesloping direction 6 and the left-right direction 9. The upper and lowersurfaces of the first bottom plate 121 are formed in a rectangular shapethat is longer in the left-right direction 9 than the sloping direction6. The lower surface of the first bottom plate 121 can contact the uppersurface 110A of the vertical wall 110 of the first support mechanism 51from above. The lower surface of the first bottom plate 121 can contactthe first upper surface 111A of the vertical wall 111 from above.Thereby, the maintenance mechanism 60 can be supported by the firstsupport mechanism 51. The lower surface of the first bottom plate 121can contact the upper surface 116A of the vertical wall 116 of thesecond support mechanism 52 from above. The lower surface of the firstbottom plate 121 can contact the first upper surface 117A of thevertical wall 117 of the second support mechanism 52 from above.Thereby, the maintenance mechanism 60 can be supported by the secondsupport mechanism 52.

The first edge plate 122 has a rectangular frame shape in plan view. Theextending piece 125 extends rightward from the lower end part of theright wall of the first edge plate 122. The extending piece 125 extendsfrom one end of the right wall of the first edge plate 122 in thesloping direction 6 to the other end.

The rack 154 is formed on the lower surface of the extending piece 125.The rack 154 extends from one end part of the extending piece 125 in thesloping direction 6 to the vicinity of the other end part, asillustrated in FIG. 8 . The rack 154 can vertically face the secondupper surface 111B of the vertical wall 111 of the first supportmechanism 51 (see FIG. 6 ).

The rack 154 can engage with the gear 105A protruding from the opening112 of the second upper surface 111B. The maintenance mechanism 60slides along the upper surface 110A and the first upper surface 111Awith regard to the first support mechanism 51 by rotating the gear 105Ain a condition where the rack 154 is engaged with the gear 105A. Inother words, the movement of the maintenance mechanism 60 is guided bythe upper surface 110A and the first upper surface 111A of the firstsupport mechanism 51.

The rack 154 can vertically face the second upper surface 117B of thevertical wall 117 of the second support mechanism 52. The rack 154 canengage with the gear 118A that protrudes from the opening 123 on thesecond upper surface 117B and the gear 119A that protrudes from theopening 124 of the second upper surface 117B. The maintenance mechanism60 slides along the upper surface 116A and the first upper surface 117Awith regard to the second support mechanism 52 by rotating the gear 105Ain a condition where the rack 154 is engaged with at least one of thegear 118A and the gear 119A. In other words, the movement of themaintenance mechanism 60 is guided by the upper surface 116A and thefirst upper surface 111A of the second support mechanism 52.

As a result, the maintenance mechanism 60 can move to a standby positionas illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 21 , a retracted position asillustrated in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 (an example of the retractedposition), a maintenance position as illustrated in FIG. 17 (an exampleof a covered position), and a wiping position as illustrated in FIG. 18, as will be described later. The maintenance mechanism 60 at themaintenance position and at the wiping position faces the nozzle surface50 of the ejecting module 49 of the head 38 in the vertical direction 7.The maintenance mechanism 60 at the standby position and at theretracted position is separated from the nozzle surface 50.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the main body 61B has a substantiallybox-like shape with an open top. The main body 61B is fixed to the base61A. The main body 61B includes a second bottom plate 151, a second edgeplate 152 standing vertical from the second bottom plate 151, and aliquid channel 153 for circulating the second maintenance liquid storedin the cleaning liquid tank 76.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9 , the second bottom plate 151 has a flatplate shape extending in the sloping direction 6 and the left-rightdirection 9. The upper and lower surfaces of the second bottom plate 151are formed in a rectangular shape that is longer in the left-rightdirection than the sloping direction 6. The second edge plate 152 has arectangular frame shape in plan view.

As illustrated in FIG. 9 , the liquid channel 153 is formed on the uppersurface of the second bottom plate 151. The liquid channel 153 is arecessed groove that is recessed downward from the upper surface of thesecond bottom plate 151 and opens upward. The liquid channel 153 has acontinuous U-shape that extends in the left-right direction 9 and turnsback to make a U-turn in plan view. The liquid channel 153 extends toconnect in series the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C arranged in aconcave groove. The liquid channel 153 has a first channel 153A, anintermediate channel 153B, and a second channel 153C.

The first channel 153A is positioned upstream in the liquid channel 153in the second maintenance liquid flow direction. The first channel 153Ais a portion that extends in the left-right direction 9 on the frontside of the main body 61B.

An intermediate channel 153B is positioned downstream of the firstchannel 153A in the second maintenance liquid flow direction. Theintermediate channel 153B extends in the forward sloping direction 5from the downstream end of the first channel 153A to a middle portion inthe sloping direction 6 of the main body 61B.

The second channel 153C is positioned downstream in the liquid channel153 in the second maintenance liquid flow direction. The second channel153C extends rightward from the downstream end of the intermediatechannel 153B.

As illustrated in FIG. 9 , an inflow port 171 through which the secondmaintenance liquid flows into the first channel 153A is opened in theinner wall surface of the groove at the upstream end of the firstchannel 153A. One end of a first supply tube 175 is connected to theinflow port 171. The other end of the first supply tube 175 extends tothe outside of the first support mechanism 51, is connected to thecleaning liquid tank 76, and opens at a position lower than the watersurface of the second maintenance liquid stored in the cleaning liquidtank 76.

An outflow port 174 through which the second maintenance liquid flowsout is opened in the inner wall surface at the downstream end of thesecond channel 153C. One end of a return tube 176 is connected to theoutflow port 174. The other end of the return tube 176 extends to theoutside of the first support mechanism 51, is connected to the cleaningliquid tank 76, and opens at a position higher than the water surface ofthe second maintenance liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank 76. Areturn pump 75 is provided on the return tube 176 (see FIG. 2 ). Drivingof the return pump 75 is controlled by the controller 130.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the wiper holder 61C has a sponge wiper 64and a rubber wiper 63. The sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 aresupported on the main body 61B by a wiper holder 61C.

Sponge Wiper 64

The sponge wiper 64 is made of sponge. In the present embodiment, threesponge wipers 64 (64A, 64B, 64C) are provided. Hereinafter, the threesponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C are also collectively referred to as thesponge wiper 64. The sponge wiper 64 is formed in the shape of arectangular body whose length in the left-right direction 9 is longerthan the length in the sloping direction 6 and the vertical direction 7.The length of the sponge wiper 64 in the vertical direction 7 is longerthan the length in the sloping direction 6.

The sponge wiper 64A and sponge wiper 64B are arranged in first channel153A of the liquid channel 153. The sponge wiper 64A is arrangedupstream of the sponge wiper 64B. The sponge wiper 64C is arranged inthe second channel 153C of the liquid channel 153.

The sponge wiper 64A, sponge wiper 64B, and sponge wiper 64Crespectively correspond to ejecting module 49A, ejecting module 49B, andejecting module 49C in the vertical direction 7. The sponge wiper 64Aand sponge wiper 64B are positioned apart from each other in theleft-right direction 9. The sponge wiper 64C is positioned spaced in aforward sloping direction 5 from the sponge wipers 64A and 64B. Thesponge wiper 64C is positioned in the middle between the sponge wiper64A and the sponge wiper 64B in the left-right direction 9.

The sponge wiper 64A corresponds to the ejecting module 49A, and canface the ejecting module 49A in the vertical direction 7. As illustratedin FIGS. 7 and 9 , the sponge wiper 64A is arranged on the right side ofthe center in the left-right direction 9 of the first channel 153A.

Rubber Wiper 63

The rubber wiper 63 is made of rubber. In the present embodiment, threerubber wipers 63 (63A, 63B, 63C) are provided. Hereinafter, the threerubber wipers 63A, 63B, and 63C are also collectively referred to as therubber wiper 63.

The rubber wiper 63 is formed in a flat plate shape extending in thevertical direction 7 and the left-right direction 9. The length of therubber wiper 63 in the sloping direction 6 is shorter than the length ofthe sponge wiper 64 in the sloping direction 6. As a result, the rubberwiper 63 is easily bent when coming into contact with the nozzle surface50 of the ejecting module 49 during the wiping process. The length ofthe rubber wiper 63 in the left-right direction 9 is slightly longerthan the length of the sponge wiper 64 in the left-right direction 9.The length of the rubber wiper 63 from the support base 61 is longerthan the length of the sponge wiper 64 from the support base 61. Therubber wiper 63 is positioned outside in the left-right direction 9relative to both ends of the sponge wiper 64 in the left-right direction9. The upper end part of the rubber wiper 63 is tapered. Thisfacilitates the upper end part of the rubber wiper 63 coming intocontact with the nozzle surface 50 of the ejecting module 49 during thewiping process.

Rubber wiper 63A and rubber wiper 63B are arranged outside of the liquidchannel 153. The rubber wiper 63A, rubber wiper 63B, and rubber wiper63C respectively correspond to ejecting module 49A, ejecting module 49B,and ejecting module 49C in vertical direction 7. The rubber wiper 63A,the rubber wiper 63B, and the rubber wiper 63C are arranged on thesupport base 61 at intervals in a rearward sloping direction 4 from thesponge wiper 64A, the sponge wiper 64B, and the sponge wiper 64C,respectively.

Cap 62

As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the cap 62 is supported by the support base61. A plurality of caps 62 are provided. In the present embodiment, thecap 62 is composed of three caps 62A, 62B, 62C. Hereinafter, the threecaps 62A, 62B, and 62C are also collectively referred to as the cap 62.

The cap 62 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or silicon. Thecap 62 has a box shape with an open top.

The caps 62A, 62B, and 62C can face the ejecting module 49A, theejecting module 49B, and the ejecting module 49C in the verticaldirection 7, respectively. Cap 62A, cap 62B and cap 62C are spaced inthe forward sloping direction 5 from sponge wiper 64A, sponge wiper 64Band sponge wiper 64C, respectively. Lips 66A, 66B, and 66C of the caps62A, 62B, and 62C abut against the nozzle surface 50 to seal internalspaces 67A, 67B, and 67C when the maintenance mechanism 60 is positionedat the maintenance position. The caps 62A, 62B and 62C respectively havecap channels 68A, 68B and 68C that facilitate communication between theinternal spaces 67A, 67B and 67C and the outside. The cap channels 68A,68B, 68C are composed of the supply channels 20A, 20B, 20C through whichthe second maintenance liquid flows into the internal spaces 67A, 67B,67C of the cap 62, and the discharge channels 21A, 21B, and 21C throughwhich the second maintenance liquid flows out from the internal spaces67A, 67B, 67C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C.

Hereinafter, the three lips 66A, 66B, and 66C will also be collectivelyreferred to as lip 66. Furthermore, the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C,the cap channels 68A, 68B, 68C, the supply channels 20A, 20B, 20C, andthe discharge channels 21A, 21B, 21C are also referred to as internalspaces 67, cap channels 68, supply channels 20, and discharge channels21, respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 10 , the cap 62A corresponds to the ejectingmodule 49A and can face the ejecting module 49A in the verticaldirection 7. The cap 62A is spaced in the forward sloping direction 5from the sponge wiper 64A. The bottom plate 69 of the cap 62A is formedwith a supply channel 20A through which the second maintenance liquidflows into the cap 62A and a discharge channel 21A through which thesecond maintenance liquid flows out from the cap 62A. One end of asecond supply tube 177 is connected to the supply channel 20A of the cap62A. The other end of the second supply tube 177 extends outside themaintenance mechanism 60 and is connected to the cleaning liquid tank 76(see FIG. 2 ). One end of a first waste liquid tube 178 is connected tothe discharge channel 21A. The other end of the first waste liquid tube178 extends to outside of the maintenance mechanism 60 and is connectedto the waste liquid tank 77 (see FIG. 2 ).

The cap 62B corresponds to the ejecting module 49B and can face theejecting module 49B in the vertical direction 7. The cap 62B is spacedin the forward sloping direction 5 from the sponge wiper 64B. The bottomplate 69 of the cap 62B is formed with a supply channel 20B throughwhich the second maintenance liquid flows into the cap 62B and adischarge channel 21B through which the second maintenance liquid flowsout from the cap 62B. One end of a third supply tube 179 branched fromthe second supply tube 177 is connected to the supply channel 20B. Oneend of the second waste liquid tube 180 is connected to the dischargechannel 21B. The other end of the second waste liquid tube 180 mergeswith the first waste liquid tube 178 outside the maintenance mechanism60.

The cap 62C corresponds to the ejecting module 49C and can face theejecting module 49C in the vertical direction 7. The cap 62C is spacedin the forward sloping direction 5 from the sponge wiper 64C. The bottomplate 69 of the cap 62C is formed with a supply channel 20C throughwhich the second maintenance liquid flows into the cap 62C and adischarge channel 21C through which the second maintenance liquid flowsout from the cap 62C. One end of a fourth supply tube 201 branched fromthe second supply tube 177 is connected to the supply channel 20C. Oneend of the third waste liquid tube 202 is connected to the dischargechannel 21C. The other end of the third waste liquid tube 202 mergeswith the first waste liquid tube 178 outside the maintenance mechanism60.

A cap cleaning valve 72 (see FIG. 16 ) is provided on the upstream sideof the branch point for the third supply tube 179 and the fourth supplytube 201 in the second supply tube 177. The opening and closing of thecap cleaning valve 72 is controlled by the controller 130.

The second waste liquid tube 180 and the third waste liquid tube 202 inthe first waste liquid tube 178 are both provided with a suction pump 74(see FIG. 2 ) on the upstream side of the junction. The three suctionpumps 74 are driven by one suction pump motor 58 (see FIG. 16 ).

The total Ta of the volume of the supply channel 20A, the volume of thedischarge channel 21A, the volume upstream of the suction pump 74 in thefirst waste liquid tube 178, and the volume of the internal space of thecap 62A is equivalent to the total Tb of the volume of the supplychannel 20B, the volume of the discharge channel 21B, the volumeupstream of the suction pump 74 in the second waste liquid tube 180, andthe volume of the internal space of the cap 62B, and equivalent to thetotal Tc of the volume of the supply channel 20C, the volume of thedischarge channel 21C, the volume upstream of the suction pump 74 in thethird waste liquid tube 202, and the volume of the internal space of thecap 62C (total Ta = total Tb = total Tc).

Wiper Cleaning Mechanism 80

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 14 , the wiper cleaning mechanism 80 ispositioned below the support part 46, and includes a support member 81and a lid member 82. The wiper cleaning mechanism 80 is connected to thelower part of the support part 46 via an elastic member 83. The wipercleaning mechanism 80 is supported by the support part 46 in anoscillating manner along the orthogonal direction 10.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the support member 81 generally hasa flat plate shape. The support member 81 has a removable lid member 82.The support member 81 has a facing surface 81A facing the mounted lidmember 82, a left edge wall 84A extending downward from the left sideedge, a right edge wall 84B extending downward from the right side edge,a left inner wall 84C extending downward at the right side in theleft-right direction 9 of the left edge wall 84A, a right inner wall 84Dextending downward at the left in the left-right direction 9 of theright edge wall 84B, and a control shaft 97.

The facing surface 81A is the lower side surface of the support member81. The left inner wall 84C has a support piece 85A and a guide surface86A. The support piece 85A is a projection protruding from the leftinner wall 84C to the right in the left-right direction 9. A pluralityof support pieces 85A are arranged along the sloping direction 6.

The guide surface 86A is a protruding part that guides the attachment ofthe lid member 82 to the support member 81. The guide surface 86Aprotrudes from the left inner wall 84C to the right in the left-rightdirection 9. The guide surface 86A is positioned more to a forwardsloping direction 5 than the support piece 85A. The guide surface 86Aextends at one end side in a rearward sloping direction 4 and the otherend side extends so as to separate from the facing surface 81A whenmoving towards the forward sloping direction 5.

The right inner wall 84D, similar to the left inner wall 84C, has asupport piece 85B and a guide surface 86B. The support piece 85B of theright inner wall 84D has the same configuration as the support piece85A, except for protruding from the right inner wall 84D to the left inthe left-right direction 9. The support piece 85A and support piece 85Bsupport the lid member 82 from below. The guide surface 86B of the rightinner wall 84D has the same configuration as the guide surface 86A,except for protruding from the right inner wall 84D to the left in theleft-right direction 9.

The control shaft 97 controls the movement of the mounted lid member 82in the rearward sloping direction 4. The control shaft 97 is formed asan axis on the facing surface 81A. The control shaft 97 is positioned atthe center position in the left-right direction 9 at the front of thesupport member 81.

The support member 81 has a mounting sensor 87 that detects that the lidmember 82 is mounted (see FIG. 12 and FIG. 14 ).

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 11, 13, and 14 , the lid member 82 faces themaintenance mechanism 60, which is in the retracted position whenmounted on the support member 81. The lid member 82 is generally flatplate-shaped, and has a lower surface 88, an upper surface 89, and anotch part 98.

The lid member 82 has a holding member 90 (an example of a cleaningmember) at the lower surface 88. The holding member 90 is formed by asponge, and holds the first maintenance liquid. The holding member 90contacts the lip 66 and the rubber wiper 63 in the retracted position(see FIG. 14 ). As a result, the holding member 90 wipes the inkadhering to the lip 66 and the rubber wiper 63. The holding member 90seals the internal space 67 of the cap 62 in the retracted position.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 , the lid member 82 has a rib 91protruding toward the support member 81 at the upper surface 89, a leftoperating part 92A disposed in the left side region of the upper surface89, and a right operating part 92B disposed in the right side region ofthe upper surface 89. The left operating part 92A and the rightoperation part 92B are arranged to be separate in the left-rightdirection 9 on the forward sloping direction 5 side of the upper surface89, as a pair of operating parts 92A and 92B. The operating parts 92A,92B are members that disengage the lid member 82 from the support member81.

The rib 91 is detectable by the mounting sensor 87 when the lid member82 is attached to the support member 81. The rib 91 is positioned on theleft side region, which is the center of the upper surface 89 in thesloping direction 6. The rib 91 is flat plate-shaped and extends alongthe sloping direction 6.

The left operating part 92A is flat plate-shaped, and extends along thesloping direction 6 on the upper surface 89. The left operating part 92Ais integrally formed with the rib 91. The left operating part 92A has anend part on the rearward sloping direction 4 side that is fixed to theupper surface. In other words, the left operating part 92 can pivot inthe left-right direction 9 using the end part on the rearward slopingdirection 4 side as a fulcrum. The left operating part 92A has a leftengaging part 93A protruding toward the left at the center position inthe sloping direction 6.

The left engaging part 93A is formed on the left side surface of theleft operating part 92A. The left engaging part 93A has a left contactsurface 95A which is a surface that extends in the left-right direction9 and the orthogonal direction 10, and a left inclined surface 94A thatslopes leftward from the left side surface of the left operating part92A toward the forward sloping direction 5 and connects to the leftcontact surface 95A.

The right operating part 92B has the same configuration as the leftoperating part 92A except that a right engaging part 93B protrudestoward the right at the center position in the sloping direction 6.

The right engaging part 93B is formed on the right side surface of theright operating part 92B. The right engaging part 93B includes a rightcontact surface 95B that is a surface that extends in the left-rightdirection 9 and the orthogonal direction 10, and a right inclinedsurface 94B that inclines rightward from the right side surface of theright operating part 92B toward the forward sloping direction 5, and isconnected to the right contact surface 95B. The left engaging part 93Aand the right engaging part 93B are a pair of engaging parts 93A, 93Bthat engage with a locking part 96 formed on the support member 81 (seeFIGS. 12 and 15 ).

The notch part 98 contacts the control shaft 97 and restricts themovement of the lid member 82 with respect to the support member 81 inthe rearward sloping direction 4. The notch part 98 is positioned at thecenter position in the left-right direction 9 at the front of the lidmember 82. The notch part 98 is open in the rearward sloping direction4.

When the lid member 82 attached to the support member 81 slides in theforward sloping direction 5 with respect to the support member 81, thecontact surfaces 95A and 95B come into contact with the locking parts 96formed on the support member 81, in order to restrict movement. The usercan disengage the engaging parts 93A and 93B from the locking part 96 bymoving the left operating part 92A to the right in the left-rightdirection 9 and moving the right operating part 92B to the left in theleft-right direction 9. In this state, the user can slide the lid member82 in the forward sloping direction 5 in order to release it from thesupport member 81.

The user can attach the lid member 82 to the support member 81 by movingthe insertion tip end of the lid member 82 in the rearward slopingdirection 4 along the guide surfaces 86A and 86B. Specifically, when thelid member 82 is inserted into the support member 81, the left engagingpart 93A is pushed to the right by the locking part 96, the leftoperating part 92A is deformed to the right, the right engaging part 93Bis pushed leftward by the locking part 96, and the right operating part92B deforms to the left. When the lid member 82 is pushed further in therearward sloping direction 4, the engaging parts 93A, 93B overcome thelocking part 96, and then the contacting surfaces 95A, 95B engage thelocking part 96. At this time, the notch part 98 contacts the controlshaft 97, so that the lid member 82 is also controlled in the rearwardsloping direction 4 with respect to the support member 81. Note that theoperating parts 92A and 92B, the engaging parts 93A and 93B, the lockingpart 96, the notch part 98, and the control shaft 97 can restrictmovement of the lid member 82 attached to the support member 81 in thesloping direction 6, but other known means may be adopted.

Controller 130

As illustrated in FIG. 16 , the controller 130 has a CPU 131, ROM 132,RAM 133, EEPROM 134 and ASIC 135, which are connected by an internal bus137. The ROM 132 stores programs and the like for controlling variousoperations of the CPU 131. The RAM 133 is used as a storage region fortemporarily recording data, signals, and the like, used when the CPU 131executes the above programs, or used as a working region for dataprocessing. The EEPROM 134 stores settings, flags, and the like thatshould be retained even after the power is turned OFF.

The ASIC 135 is connected to the transport motor 53, head motor 54,first motor 55, second motor 56, return pump motor 47, suction pumpmotor 58, shaft motor 59, vertical drive motor 163, valve motor 71,operating panel 44, mounting sensor 87, and display part 44A.

The ASIC 135 generates a drive signal for rotating each motor, andcontrols each motor based on this drive signal. Each motor rotatesforward or backward according to a drive signal from the ASIC 135. Thecontroller 130 controls driving of the transport motor 53 to rotate theholder 35, the transport roller 36A, the transport roller 40A, and thedrive roller 102. The controller 130 controls driving of the head motor54 to rotate the screw shaft 29A and move the head 38 along the verticaldirection 7. The controller 130 controls driving of the shaft motor 59to rotate the first support mechanism 51. The controller 130 controlsdriving of the first motor 55 to rotate the gear 106 of the firstsupport mechanism 51. The controller 130 controls driving of thevertical drive motor 163 to rotate the screw shaft 161 and move thesecond support mechanism 52 along the orthogonal direction 10. Thecontroller 130 controls driving of the second motor 56 to rotate thegear 120 of the second support mechanism 52. The controller 130 controlsthe drive of the return pump motor 78 to drive the return pump 75. Thecontroller 130 controls the drive of the suction pump motor 58 to drivethe three suction pumps 74. The controller 130 controls the drive of thevalve motor 71 to open and close the cap wash valve 72. The controller130 controls the drive of the valve motor 73 to open and close thecleaning liquid distribution valve 141. The controller 130 controls thedrive of the valve motor 79 to open and close the ink valve 142.

The ASIC 35 is connected to the operating panel 44, the display part44A, and a piezoelectric element (not illustrated in the drawings). Theoperating panel 44 outputs an operating signal to the controller 130based on the operation by the user. The operating panel 44 may have, forexample, push buttons, or may have a touch sensor superimposed on thedisplay. The display part 44A displays that the lid member 82 isattached to the support member 81. The piezoelectric element operates bybeing powered by the controller 130 via a drive circuit (notillustrated). The controller 130 controls power supplied to thepiezoelectric element to selectively eject ink droplets from theplurality of nozzles 38A.

The ASIC 35 is electrically connected to the mounting sensor 87. Thecontroller 130 detects the insertion and removal of the lid member 82via the mounting sensor 87.

Ink

Details of the ink are described below. The ink contains resinmicroparticles, a colorant, an organic solvent, a surfactant, and water.The ink is a water-based ink in which resin microparticles, a colorant,and an organic solvent are dissolved in water.

The ink is wet-able to hydrophobic recording media such as coated paper,plastic, film, OHP sheet, and the like, but this is not a limitation.Image recording media other than hydrophobic recording media such asnormal paper, glossy paper, matte paper, and the like may be suitable,for example. “Coated paper” refers to plain paper containing mainlypulp, such as high-grade printing paper and intermediate-grade printingpaper, coated with a coating agent to improve smoothness, whiteness,gloss, and the like. Specific examples include high-grade coated paper,intermediate-grade coated paper, and the like.

For example, the resin microparticles may contain at least one ofmethacrylic acid or acrylic acid as a monomer, including commerciallyavailable products, for example. The resin microparticles may furthercontain, for example, styrene, vinyl chloride, and the like as monomers.The resin microparticles may be included in an emulsion, for example.The emulsion is composed of, for example, resin microparticles and adispersing medium (such as water or the like). The resin microparticlesare not dissolved in the dispersing medium, but are within a specificparticle size range when dispersed. Examples of resin microparticlesinclude acrylic acid resins, maleic acid ester resins, vinyl acetateresins, carbonate resins, polycarbonate resins, styrene resins, ethyleneresins, polyethylene resins, propylene resins, polypropylene resins,urethane resins, polyurethane resins, polyester resins, copolymer resinsthereof, and the like, but acrylic resins are preferred.

As the resin microparticles, for example, a resin having a glasstransition temperature (Tg) in the range of 0° C. or higher and 200° C.or lower is used. More preferably, the glass transition temperature (Tg)is 20° C. or higher and 180° C. or lower, and still more preferably 30°C. or higher and 150° C. or lower.

The emulsion may be a commercially available product, for example.Commercially available products include, for example, “Superflex(registered trademark) 870” (Tg: 71° C.), and “Superflex (registeredtrademark) 150” (Tg: 40° C.) manufactured by DKS Co., Ltd.; “Mowinyl(registered trademark) 6760” (Tg: -28° C.) and “Mowinyl (registeredtrademark) DM774” (Tg: 33° C.) manufactured by Japan Coating ResinCorporation; “Polysol (registered trademark) AP-3270N” (Tg: 27° C.)manufactured by Showa Denko K.K.; “Hirose-X (registered trademark)KE-1062” (Tg: 112° C.) and “Hirose-X (registered trademark) QE-1042”(Tg: 69° C.) manufactured by Seiko PMC Corporation; and the like.

The average particle size of the resin microparticles is, for example,within a range of 30 nm or more and 200 nm or less. The average particlesize can be measured as the arithmetic mean diameter using, for example,an LB-550 dynamic light scattering particle size analyzer manufacturedby HORIBA, Ltd.

The content (R) of resin microparticles in the total amount of the inkis, for example, preferably in a range of 0.1 wt% or higher and 30 wt%or lower, more preferably in a range of 0.5 wt% or higher and 20 wt% orlower, and particularly preferably within a range of 1.0 wt% or higherand 15.0 wt% or lower. One type of resin microparticles may be usedalone, or two or more types may be used in combination.

The colorant is a water dispersible pigment, for example, by means of aresin for pigment dispersion (resin dispersing agent). Examples ofcolorants include carbon black, inorganic pigments, organic pigments,and the like. Examples of carbon black include furnace black, lampblack, acetylene black, channel black, and the like. Examples ofinorganic pigments include titanium dioxide, iron oxide inorganicpigments, carbon black inorganic pigments, and the like. Examples of theaforementioned organic pigments include: azo pigments such as azo lakes,insoluble azo pigments, condensed azo pigments, and chelated azopigments; polycyclic pigments such as phthalocyanine pigments, peryleneand perinone pigments, anthraquinone pigments, quinacridone pigments,dioxazine pigments, thioindigo pigments, isoindolinone pigments,quinophthalone pigments, and the like; dye lake pigments such as basicdye-type lake pigments and acid dye-type lake pigments; nitro pigments;nitroso pigments; aniline black daylight fluorescent pigments; and thelike.

The solid content of the colorant in the total amount of ink is notparticularly limited, and can be determined as appropriate depending on,for example, the desired optical density or chroma. The solid content ofthe colorant is, for example, preferably in a range of 0.1 wt% or moreand 20.0 wt% or less, more preferably in a range of 1.0 wt% or more and15.0 wt% or less. The solid content of the colorant is the weight of thepigment only, and does not include the weight of the resinmicroparticles. One type of colorant may be used alone, or two or moretypes may be used in combination.

Organic solvents are solvents that can blend uniformly when the solventand water are blended at a 1:1 ratio. Any organic solvent can be usedwithout any particular limitation. Examples of organic solvents includepropylene glycol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, propylene glycolmonobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, triethylene glycolmonobutyl ether, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, and the like, butglycol ethers having a propylene oxide group are preferred. Examples ofother organic solvents include: alkyl alcohols having 1 to 4 carbonatoms such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropylalcohol, n-butyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, and thelike; alkylene glycols where the alkylene group contains 2 to 6 carbonatoms, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol,triethylene glycol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, thiodiglycol, hexylene glycol,and diethylene glycol; lower alkyl ethers of alkylene glycols such asglycerin, ethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether,diethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether,triethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl) ether,tetraethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl) ether,propylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, dipropyleneglycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, tripropylene glycolmonomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, tetrapropylene glycolmonomethyl (or ethyl) ether, and the like; as well asN-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinoneand the like.

The organic solvent content to the total amount of ink is, for example,preferably in the range of 1 wt% or more and 70 wt% or less, morepreferably in a range of 3 wt% or more and 50 wt% or less.

The water is preferably ion-exchanged water or pure water. The watercontent in the total amount of ink is, for example, preferably in therange of 15 wt% or more and 95 wt% or less, more preferably in a rangeof 25 wt% or more and 85 wt% or less. The water content may, forexample, be the remainder with regards to other components.

The ink may also contain conventionally known additives as needed.Additives include, for example, surfactants, pH adjusters, viscosityadjusters, surface tension adjusters, preservatives, antifungal agents,leveling agents, antifoaming agents, light stabilizers, antioxidants,nozzle drying inhibitors, polymer components such as emulsions, dyes,and the like. Surfactants may further include cationic surfactants,anionic surfactants, or nonionic surfactants. Commercially availableproducts, for example, may be used as these surfactants. Commerciallyavailable products include, for example, “OLFINE (registered trademark)E1010”, “OLFINE (registered trademark) E1006”, and “OLFINE (registeredtrademark) E1004” manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.,and the like. The amount of surfactant in the total amount of ink is,for example, 5% by weight or less, 3% by weight or less, or 0.1% byweight to 2% by weight. Examples of the viscosity adjusters includepolyvinyl alcohol, cellulose, water-soluble resins, and the like.

The ink can be produced by, for example, uniformly mixing resinmicroparticles, colorants, organic solvent, water, and, if necessary,other additives by a conventionally known method, and then removinginsoluble matter with a filter or the like.

Note that the ink may be fixed to the recording medium by UVirradiation, instead of containing resin microparticles that are fixedto the recording medium by heating. In this case, the ink has a UVcuring agent, resin component, colorant, organic solvent, surfactant,and water. UV curing agents include photopolymerization initiators andpolymeric compounds.

Photopolymerization initiators are water-soluble compounds that causepolymerization reactions of polymeric compounds by UV irradiation. Thephotopolymerization initiator is dissolved in water. A state where thephotopolymerization initiator is dissolved in water refers to a state inwhich 1 wt% or more of the photopolymerization initiator is dissolved in100 g of water. Photopolymerization initiators include, for example,lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate. Other examples ofphotopolymerization initiators include 1-[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-phenyl]-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-propan-1-one, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl1-phenyl-propan-1-one, hydroxyalkylphenone initiators, acetophenoneinitiators, benzophenone initiators, benzoin initiators, benzoin etherinitiators, aminoalkylphenone initiators, xanthone initiators, oximeinitiators, and the like. Examples of hydroxyalkylphenone initiatorsinclude 1-hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone,1-(4-isopropylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-1 -on, and the like.Examples of acetophenone initiators include acetophenone,2,2-diethoxyacetophenone, p-dimethylaminoacetophene, and the like.Examples of benzophenone initiators include benzophenone,2-chlorobenzophenone, p,p′-dichlorobenzophene,p,p′-bis-diethylaminobenzophenone, Michler ketones, and the like.Examples of benzoin initiators and benzoin ether initiators includebenzoin, benzoin methyl ether, benzoin ethyl ether, benzoin isopropylether, benzoin n-propyl ether, benzoin isobutyl ether, benzoin n-butylether, and the like. The solid amount of photopolymerization initiatorsin the total amount of ink is, for example, preferably in a range of 0.1wt% or higher and 10.0 wt% or lower, more preferably in a range of 0.5wt% or higher and 5.0 wt% or lower, and particularly preferably within arange of 0.8 wt% or higher and 2.5 wt% or lower.

Polymeric compounds are water-soluble compounds that undergo apolymerization reaction by photopolymerization initiators irradiatedwith ultraviolet light. The polymeric compounds are dissolved in water.A state where the polymeric compounds are dissolved in water refers to astate in which 1 wt% or more of the polymeric compounds are dissolved in100 g of water. Examples of polymeric compounds includeN,N′-1,2-ethanediylbis{N -[2-(acryloylamino)ethyl]acrylamide},N,N′-(((2-acrylamido-2((3-(buta-1,3-dien-2-ylamino)propoxy-1,3-diyl)bis(oxy))bis(propan-3,1-diyl))diacrylamide, N,N-bis(2-acrylamidethyl)acrylamide,and N,N′-{oxybis(2,1-ethanediyloxy-3,1-propanediyl) }bisacrylamide. Thesolid amount of polymeric compounds in the total amount of ink is, forexample, preferably in a range of 1.0 wt% or higher and 40.0 wt% orlower, more preferably in a range of 2.5 wt% or higher and 40.0 wt% orlower, and particularly preferably within a range of 5.0 wt% or higherand 40 wt% or lower.

First Maintenance Liquid

The first maintenance liquid is held in the holding member 90 of thewiper cleaning mechanism 80. The first maintenance liquid contains awater-soluble organic solvent, a surfactant, and water.

Any water-soluble organic solvent can be used without any particularlimitation. Examples of water-soluble organic solvents include propyleneglycol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, propylene glycol propyl ether,dipropylene glycol propyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether,1,6-hexanediol, and the like, but propylene glycol and 1,2-butanediolare preferred. Examples of other organic solvents include: alkylalcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as methyl alcohol, ethylalcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, sec-butylalcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, and the like; alkylene glycols where thealkylene group contains 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as ethylene glycol,propylene glycol, butylene glycol, triethylene glycol,1,2,6-hexanetriol, thiodiglycol, hexylene glycol, and diethylene glycol;lower alkyl ethers of alkylene glycols such as glycerin, ethylene glycolmonomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl(or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl (orethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl) ether, tetraethylene glycol monomethyl (orethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl) ether, propylene glycol monomethyl (orethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl,propyl, butyl) ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl,butyl) ether, tetrapropylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether, and thelike; as well as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone,1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and the like.

The water-soluble organic solvent may be used alone, or in a combinationof two or more types. The amount of water-soluble organic solvent in thetotal amount of first maintenance liquid is, for example, preferably ina range of 20 wt% or more and 95 wt% or less, more preferably in a rangeof 45 wt% or more and 85 wt% or less.

Common cationic, anionic, or nonionic surfactants are used as thesurfactants, and commercial products may be used. Examples ofcommercially available nonionic surfactants include OLFINE (registeredtrademark) manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co. and “EMULGEN(registered trademark)” manufactured by Kao Corporation.

One type of surfactant may be used alone, or a combination of two ormore types may be used. The amount of surfactant in the total amount offirst maintenance liquid is, for example, preferably in a range of 0.01wt% or more and 10 wt% or less, more preferably in a range of 0.1 wt% ormore and 10 wt% or less.

The water is preferably ion-exchanged water or pure water. The watercontent in the total amount of the first maintenance liquid is, forexample, 10% to 90% by mass, or 20% to 80% by mass. The water contentmay, for example, be the remainder with regards to other components.

The first maintenance liquid preferably does not contain a coloringagent, but may contain a coloring agent. If the first maintenance liquidcontains a coloring agent, the amount is preferably an amount that doesnot affect the recorded image.

The first maintenance liquid may also contain conventionally knownadditives as needed. Examples of the additives include pH adjusters,viscosity adjusters, surface tension adjusters, antifungal agents, andthe like. Examples of the viscosity adjusters include polyvinyl alcohol,cellulose, water-soluble resins, and the like.

The first maintenance liquid can be prepared by, for example, uniformlymixing a water-soluble organic solvent, a surfactant, and water by aconventionally known method.

Second Maintenance Liquid

The second maintenance liquid is stored in the cleaning liquid tank 76.The second maintenance liquid contains a water-soluble organic solvent,a surfactant, and water.

Any water-soluble organic solvent can be used without any particularlimitation. Examples of water-soluble organic solvents include propyleneglycol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, propylene glycol propyl ether,dipropylene glycol propyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether,1,6-hexanediol, and the like, but propylene glycol and 1,2-butanediolare preferred. Examples of other organic solvents include: alkylalcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as methyl alcohol, ethylalcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, sec-butylalcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, and the like; alkylene glycols where thealkylene group contains 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as ethylene glycol,propylene glycol, butylene glycol, triethylene glycol,1,2,6-hexanetriol, thiodiglycol, hexylene glycol, and diethylene glycol;lower alkyl ethers of alkylene glycols such as glycerin, ethylene glycolmonomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl(or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl (orethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl) ether, tetraethylene glycol monomethyl (orethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl) ether, propylene glycol monomethyl (orethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl,propyl, butyl) ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl,butyl) ether, tetrapropylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether, and thelike; as well as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone,1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and the like.

The water-soluble organic solvent may be used alone, or in a combinationof two or more types. The amount of water-soluble organic solvent in thetotal amount of the second maintenance liquid is, for example,preferably in a range of 5 wt% or more and 55 wt% or less, morepreferably in a range of 25 wt% or more and 35 wt% or less.

Standard cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, and nonionicsurfactants can be used as the surfactants, or a commercial product canbe used. Examples of commercially available nonionic surfactants includeOLFINE (registered trademark) manufactured by Nissin Chemical IndustryCo. and “EMULGEN (registered trademark)” manufactured by KaoCorporation.

One type of surfactant may be used alone, or a combination of two ormore types may be used. The amount of surfactant in the total amount ofthe second maintenance liquid is, for example, preferably in a range of0.01 wt% or more and 10 wt% or less, more preferably in a range of 1 wt%or more and 10 wt% or less.

The water is preferably ion-exchanged water or pure water. The watercontent in the total amount of the second maintenance liquid is, forexample, 10% to 90% by mass, or 20% to 80% by mass. The water contentmay, for example, be the remainder with regards to other components.

The second maintenance liquid preferably does not contain a coloringagent, but may contain a coloring agent. If the second maintenanceliquid contains a coloring agent, the amount is preferably an amountthat does not affect the recorded image.

The second maintenance liquid may also contain conventionally knownadditives as needed. Examples of the additives include pH adjusters,viscosity adjusters, surface tension adjusters, antifungal agents, andthe like. Examples of the viscosity adjusters include polyvinyl alcohol,cellulose, water-soluble resins, and the like.

The second maintenance liquid can be prepared by, for example, uniformlymixing a water-soluble organic solvent, a surfactant, and water by aconventionally known method.

Difference Between First Maintenance Liquid and Second MaintenanceLiquid

The viscosity V1 of the first maintenance liquid is preferably greaterthan the viscosity V2 of the second maintenance liquid (V1 > V2).Specifically, the viscosity V1 of the first maintenance liquid is, forexample, preferably within a range of 5 mPa • s or more and 50 mPa • sor less, and even more preferably in the range of 10 mPa ▪ s to 45 mPa •s, and especially preferably in the range of 20 mPa • s or higher to 40mPa • s or less. The viscosity V2 of the second maintenance liquid is,for example, preferably 1.8 mPa • s or more to 10 mPa • s or less, andmore preferably within a range of 1.8 mPa • s or more to 5 mPa • s orless. The internal space of the cap 62, the discharge channels 21A, 21B,and 21C, the internal space of the first waste liquid tube 178, thesecond waste liquid tube 180, and the third waste liquid tube 202 caneasily be cleaned by the second maintenance liquid if the viscosity V1of the first maintenance liquid is higher than the viscosity V2 of thesecond maintenance liquid. In addition, the viscosity V1 of the firstmaintenance liquid, the viscosity V2 of the second maintenance liquid,and the viscosity V3 of the ink are preferably in a relationship whereviscosity V1 > viscosity V3 > viscosity V2. Note that the viscosity canbe measured, for example, by a cone-plate rotational viscometer.

The evaporation rate E1 of the first maintenance liquid is preferablyless than the evaporation rate E2 of the second maintenance liquid (E1 <E2). Specifically, the evaporation rate E1 of the first maintenanceliquid is, for example, preferably in a range of 0% or more and 50% orless, more preferably in a range of 0% or more and 30% or less, andespecially preferably in a range of 0% or more and 10% or less. Theevaporation rate E2 of the second maintenance liquid is preferably inthe range of, for example, 40% or more and 80% or less, even morepreferably within a range of 50% or more and 70% or less. Theevaporation rate E1 of the first maintenance liquid is lower than theevaporation rate E2 of the second maintenance liquid; therefore, thefirst maintenance liquid does not easily evaporate from the holdingmember 90 of the wiper cleaning mechanism 80. In addition, theevaporation rate E1 of the first maintenance liquid, the evaporationrate E2 of the second maintenance liquid, and the evaporation rate E3 ofthe ink are preferably in a relationship where evaporation rate E3 >evaporation rate E2 > evaporation rate E1.

Note that the evaporation rate can be measured by the following test. 5g of the first maintenance liquid or the second maintenance liquid wasplaced in a standard glass bottle (No. 2) with a volume of 24 mL,weighed, and left uncovered in a constant temperature bath at atemperature of 60 degrees and a humidity of 40% for 48 hours.Afterwards, the difference when weighed again is expressed as apercentage (%) divided by the initial sample weight (5 g).

The water-soluble organic solvent having the maximum amount in the firstmaintenance liquid is preferably the same as the water-soluble organicsolvent having the maximum amount in the second maintenance liquid.Therefore, when the first maintenance liquid and the second maintenanceliquid are mixed, agglomeration or the like will not readily occur.

The surface tension T1 of the first maintenance liquid is preferablygreater than the surface tension T3 of the ink. The surface tension T2of the second maintenance liquid is preferably greater than the surfacetension T3. Specifically, the surface tension T1 of the firstmaintenance liquid is, for example, within a range of 30 mN/m or more to65 mN/m or less, and more preferably 35 mN/m or more to 50 mN/m or less.The surface tension T2 of the second maintenance liquid is, for example,within a range of 30 mN/m or more to 65 mN/m or less, and morepreferably 35 mN/m or more to 50 mN/m or less. The surface tension T3 ofthe ink is, for example, within a range of 0 mN/m or more to 35 mN/m orless, more preferably 20 mN/m or more to 28 mN/m or less, andparticularly preferably within a range of 20 mN/m or more to 25 mN/m orless. Note that the surface tension can be measured, for example, by theWilhelmy method.

The operation of the maintenance mechanism 60 will be described belowtogether with the purge process, the cleaning process, the wipingprocess, and the image recording process. In the present embodiment, thesecond maintenance liquid is supplied and discharged in conjunction withthe above processing.

Purge Process and Cleaning Process

The image recording device 100 is in a standby state when the imagerecording process is not being executed. In the standby state, asillustrated in FIG. 17 , the head 38 is positioned at the cappedposition, the first support mechanism 51 is positioned at the firstorientation while supporting the maintenance mechanism 60, and themaintenance mechanism 60 is positioned at the maintenance position. Atthis time, the cap 62 covers the nozzle surface 50.

In the standby state, the controller 130 performs the purge process atprescribed timing or upon receiving an external command. The processwhen the controller 130 receives an external command to execute thepurge process while the image recording device 100 is in the standbystate will be described below.

During the purge process, the controller 130 closes the cap cleaningvalve 72, and drives the suction pump 74. As a result, the ink insidethe nozzle 38A is suctioned out and the ink is discharged from theinternal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the cap 62 through the dischargechannels 21A, 21B, 21C, through the first waste liquid tube 178, thesecond waste liquid tube 180, and the third waste liquid tube 202, tothe waste liquid tank 77. At this time, since the cap cleaning valve 72is closed, the second maintenance liquid is not supplied from thecleaning liquid tank 76 to the caps 62A, 62B, 62C through the secondsupply tube 177, the third supply tube 179, and the fourth supply tube201.

The controller 130 executes the cleaning process (second maintenanceprocess) at prescribed timing, or when an external command has beenreceived. The process when the controller 130 executes the cleaningprocess, after the purge process is performed and while the imagerecording device 100 is in the standby state will be described below.

In the cleaning process, the controller 130 drives the suction pump 74with the cap cleaning valve 72 open and the ink valve 142 closed. As aresult, the second maintenance liquid is supplied from the cleaningliquid tank 76 through the second supply tube 177, the third supply tube179, and the fourth supply tube 201 to the internal spaces of the caps62A, 62B, and 62C. Since the ink valve 142 is closed, no ink isdischarged from the nozzle 38A of the head 38 into the internal spacesof the caps 62A, 62B, 62C.

Next, the controller 130 moves the head 38 to the uncapped position, anddrives the suction pump 74 with the cap cleaning valve 72 closed. As aresult, the second maintenance liquid is discharged from the internalspaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the cap 62 through the discharge channels 21A,21B, 21C, through the first waste liquid tube 178, the second wasteliquid tube 180, and the third waste liquid tube 202, to the wasteliquid tank 77. As a result, ink remaining in the internal spaces 67A,67B, 67C of the cap 62, the discharge channels 21A, 21B, 21C, the firstwaste liquid tube 178, the second waste liquid tube 180, and the thirdwaste liquid tube 202 is washed away by the second maintenance liquid.

The controller 130 drives the cleaning liquid distribution valve 141 tokeep the atmospheric connecting channel 140 open and drives the returnpump 75. Thereby, the second maintenance liquid discharged from theoutflow port 174 is returned to the cleaning liquid tank 76 through thereturn tube 176.

Furthermore, the image recording device 100 is in a standby state whenthe image recording process is not being executed, but when enteringstandby state, the controller 130 executes the cleaning liquid supplyingprocess (an example of the third maintenance process) by driving thesuction pump 74 in a condition where the cap cleaning valve 72 is open,but the ink valve 142 is closed. The second maintenance liquid issupplied from the cleaning liquid tank 76 through the second supply tube177, the third supply tube 179, and the fourth supply tube 201 to theinternal spaces of the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C in the cleaning liquidsupply process. Since the ink valve 142 is closed, no ink is dischargedfrom the nozzle 38A of the head 38 into the internal spaces of the caps62A, 62B, 62C.

In the cleaning process, the controller 130 drives the suction pump 74to ensure that the second maintenance liquid flows into the internalspaces of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C at a flow velocity of F1. In thecleaning liquid supplying process, the controller 130 drives a suctionpump 74 to ensure that the second maintenance liquid flows into theinternal spaces of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C at a flow velocity of F2. Theflow velocity F2 is slower than the flow velocity F1 (F2 < F1).

Wiping Process

The controller 130 performs the wiping process with the sponge wipers64A, 64B, 64C impregnated with the second maintenance liquid, andexecutes the wiping process (an example of the fourth maintenanceprocess). The wiping process is described below.

In the wiping process, the controller 130 drives the cleaning liquiddistribution valve 141 to close the atmospheric connecting channel 140,and drives the return pump 75. As a result, the second maintenanceliquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 76 to the support base61 through the first supply tube 175. The second maintenance liquidsupplied to the support base 61 flows into the first channel 153A in theliquid channel 153 through the inflow port 171. The second maintenanceliquid that has flowed into the first channel 153A flows through theintermediate channel 153B and the second channel 153C in order, and isdischarged from the outflow port 174. At this time, the sponge wipers64A, 64B, and 64C are impregnated with the second maintenance liquid,and the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C are in a state of containingsufficient second maintenance liquid. The controller 130 drives thecleaning liquid distribution valve 141 to keep the atmosphericconnecting channel 140 open and drives the return pump 75. Thereby, thesecond maintenance liquid is discharged from the liquid channel 153 tothe cleaning liquid tank 76.

The controller 130 moves the head 38 downward from the uncapped positionindicated by the dashed line to the wiping position indicated by thesolid line in FIG. 18 .

The maintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position is supported bythe first support mechanism 51, and at this time, the rack 154 isengaged with the gear 105. When the first motor 55 is driven in thisstate and the gear 106 rotates clockwise in FIG. 17 , the gear 105rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 17 . As a result, the maintenancemechanism 60 at the maintenance position moves forward (downstream inthe transport direction 8A) along the front-to-back direction 8(transport direction 8A) and reaches the wiping position (see FIG. 18 ).

In the process of moving the maintenance mechanism 60 from themaintenance position to the wiping position, the tip end parts (upperend parts) of the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 contact thenozzle surface 50 and slide against the nozzle surface 50 of theejecting module 49. Specifically, the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, 64C andthe rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C slide in contact with the nozzlesurfaces 50 of the ejecting modules 49A, 49B, 49C. As a result, thenozzle surfaces 50 of the ejecting modules 49A, 49B, 49C are wiped bythe sponge wipers 64A, 64B, 64C, impregnated with the second maintenanceliquid, and then wiped by the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C. As a result,the foreign matter that has adhered to the nozzle surface 50 and thenozzles 38A opened in the nozzle surface 50 is removed, and the secondmaintenance liquid that has adhered to the nozzle surface 50 is alsoremoved.

When the maintenance mechanism 60 is at the wiping position, the firstmotor 55 is driven to rotate the gear 106 counterclockwise in FIG. 18 ,which causes the gear 105 to rotate clockwise in FIG. 18 . As a result,the maintenance mechanism 60 at the wiping position moves back (upstreamin the transport direction 8A) and reaches the maintenance position (seeFIG. 17 ).

The controller 130 drives the shaft motor 59 to change the orientationof the first support mechanism 51 from the first orientation to thesecond orientation (see FIG. 19 ).

Movement of Maintenance Mechanism 60

As illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 21 , the maintenance mechanism 60 canmove to the standby position along the sloping direction 6 by slidingand moving with regard to the first support mechanism 51 in the secondorientation and the second support mechanism 52 while being supported bythe first support mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52(example of first maintenance process). In other words, the firstsupport mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52 can support themaintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position, the standbyposition, and at a position between these two positions.

Specifically, the controller 130 first drives the first motor 55.Therefore, the gear 106 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 19 ,so the gear 105 rotates counterclockwise, and the maintenance mechanism60 at the maintenance position moves in the forward sloping direction 5and is received on the second support mechanism 52 (see FIG. 20 ).

The controller 130 drives the second motor 56. Therefore, the gear 120rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 20 , so gears 118 and 119rotate counterclockwise, and the maintenance mechanism 60 that has slidfrom the first support mechanism 51 arrives at the standby position onthe second support mechanism 52 (see FIG. 21 ).

The controller 130 drives the vertical drive motor 163. Thereby, thescrew shaft 161 rotates in order to move the second support mechanism 52upward from the standby position along the orthogonal direction (anexample of the direction intersecting with the surface of the holdingmember 90) 10, so that the maintenance mechanism 60 reaches theretracted position (see FIG. 22 ). At this time, the support member 81biases the lid member 82 toward the caps 62A, 62B, 62C by the elasticmember 83. The holding member 90 is in contact with the lips 66A, 66B,66C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C and the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C. Thefirst maintenance liquid adheres to the lips 66A, 66B, 66C of the caps62A, 62B, 62C and the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C through the holdingmember 90, so the ink does not easily solidify. Note that the spongewipers 64A, 64B, and 64C are separated from the holding member 90.

In addition, the caps 62A, 62B, 62C overlap the area occupied by theheater 39 in the transport direction 8A of the sheet S. Morespecifically, as illustrated in FIG. 22 , a range P1 occupied by theheater 39 in the transport direction 8A (front-to-back direction 8)(hereinafter referred to as the range of the heater 39) overlaps with arange P2 from the front side of the cap 62C in the sloping direction 6to the back side of the cap 62B in the sloping direction 6 (hereinafteralso referred to as the range of the cap 62). With the presentembodiment, a case of partial overlap is where the front side portion ofthe range P1 of the heater 39 overlaps with the rear side portion of therange P2 of the cap 62. At this time, the wiper cleaning mechanism 80 ispositioned between the caps 62A, 62B, 62C and the heater 39. Therefore,the heat from the heater 39 is shielded by the wiper cleaning mechanism80, and is not easily transferred to the caps 62A, 62B, 62C.

Image Recording Process

The process (image recording process) when an image is recorded on thesheet S will be described below.

When the controller 130 receives a command to record an image on thesheet S from an external device such as the operating panel 44 or aninformation processing device connected to the image recording device100 via a LAN or the like, the controller 130 moves the maintenancemechanism 60 as described above from the maintenance position to thestandby position. The controller 130 then drives the vertical drivemotor 163 to move the maintenance mechanism 60 from the standby positionto the retracted position. The controller 130 drives the shaft motor 59to change the orientation of the first support mechanism 51 from thesecond orientation to the first orientation (see FIG. 23 ).

The controller 130 then moves the head 38 downward from the cappedposition to the recording position (see FIG. 23 ). Furthermore, thesheet S begins to move, and the ink is ejected from the nozzles 38Awhile the sheet S is positioned directly below the head 38. Thus, animage is recorded on the sheet S. The ink that has adhered to the sheetS is fixed to the sheet S by being heated when passing through theheater 39. Furthermore, after the CIS 25 checks the recorded image, thetransported sheet S is cut into a prescribed size by the cutter unit 26,and discharged.

After the image recording process on the sheet S, a process that is thereverse of that described above is performed when the maintenancemechanism 60 moves to the maintenance position.

Specifically, first, the controller 130 drives the vertical drive motor163. As a result, the screw shaft 161 rotates, so the second supportmechanism 52 moves from the retracted position downward along theorthogonal direction 10, and the maintenance mechanism 60 reaches thestandby position. At this time, the lips 66A, 66B, 66C of the caps 62A,62B, 62C, the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C, and the sponge wipers 64A,64B, 64C are separated from the holding member 90 of the lid member 82(see FIG. 21 ).

Next, the controller 130 drives the shaft motor 59 to change theorientation of the first support mechanism 51 from the first orientationto the second orientation (see FIG. 21 ). At this time, the maintenancemechanism 60 is supported by the second support mechanism 52. In thisstate, the rack 154 is engaged with both gears 118, 119. When the secondmotor 56 (see FIG. 16 ) is driven in this state and the gear 120 rotatescounterclockwise in FIG. 21 , and the gears 118, 119 rotate clockwise inFIG. 21 . Thereby, the maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby positionis moved in the rearward sloping direction 4 (see FIG. 20 ).

The controller 130 drives the first motor 55. Therefore, the gear 106rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 20 , so the gear 105rotates clockwise, and the maintenance mechanism 60 that has slid fromthe second support mechanism 52 arrives at the first support mechanism51 (see FIG. 19 ).

With the maintenance mechanism 60 supported by the first supportmechanism 51, the first support mechanism 51 is rotated from the secondorientation to the first orientation by driving the shaft motor 59 (seeFIG. 16 ). Furthermore, the head 38 is moved from the wiping position tothe capped position. Thereby, the maintenance mechanism 60 is positionedin the maintenance position (see FIG. 17 ). The maintenance mechanism 60at the maintenance position is positioned between the head 38 and thefirst support mechanism 51 in the first orientation.

Action and Effect of the Embodiment

In the present embodiment, the first maintenance liquid cleans the lips66A, 66B, 66C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C and the rubber wipers 63A, 63B,63C, and the second maintenance liquid washes away the ink remaining inthe internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C, thedischarge channels 21A, 21B, 21C, the first waste liquid tube 178, thesecond waste liquid tube 180, and the third waste liquid tube 202.Therefore, suitable maintenance is achieved for each member to which theink ejected from the nozzle 38A has adhered.

The second maintenance liquid is supplied to the internal spaces 67A,67B, 67C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C that contact the nozzle surface 50 atthe maintenance position, such that the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67Care kept at high humidity, and thus the ink does not easily dry in thenozzles 38A.

In addition, the flow velocity F2 at which the second maintenance liquidis supplied to the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the caps 62A, 62B,62C when the head 38 is in the uncapped position is slower than the flowvelocity F1 at which the second maintenance liquid is supplied to theinternal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C in the cleaningprocess, and therefore the second maintenance liquid does not easilyoverflow from the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the caps 62A, 62B,62C.

In addition, in the wiping process, the nozzle surface 50 of eachejecting module 49A, 49B, 49C is wiped by the sponge wipers 64A, 64B,64C, and then wiped by the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C, so that theforeign material that has adhered to the nozzle surface 50 and thenozzle 38A that opens on the nozzle surface 50 is removed.

In addition, the total Ta of the volume of the supply channel 20A, thevolume of the discharge channel 21A, the volume upstream of the suctionpump 74 in the first waste liquid tube 178, and the volume of theinternal space of the cap 62A is equal to the total Tb of the volume ofthe supply channel 20B, the volume of the discharge channel 21B, thevolume upstream of the suction pump 74 in the second waste liquid tube180, and the volume of the internal space of the cap 62B, and the totalTc of the volume of the supply channel 20C, the volume of the dischargechannel 21C, the volume upstream of the suction pump 74 in the thirdwaste liquid tube 202, and the volume of the internal space of the cap62C (total Ta = total Tb = total Tc). Therefore, although the suctionpump motor 58 for driving the three suction pumps 74 is in common, theoperation of the three suction pumps 74 equalizes the amount of thesecond maintenance liquid flowing into the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67Cof the caps 62A, 62B, 62C.

Furthermore, the viscosity V2 of the second maintenance liquid issmaller than the viscosity V1 of the first maintenance liquid;therefore, the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C,the discharge channels 21A, 21B, 21C, the first waste liquid tube 178,the second waste liquid tube 180, and the third waste liquid tube 202can easily be cleaned by the second maintenance liquid.

Furthermore, the evaporation rate E1 of the first maintenance liquid islower than the evaporation rate E2 of the second maintenance liquid;therefore, the first maintenance liquid does not easily evaporate fromthe holding member 90 of the maintenance mechanism 80. The rubber wipers63A, 63B, 63C are in contact with the holding member 90 impregnated withthe first maintenance liquid; therefore, even if a small amount of inkhas adhered to the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C during the wipingprocess, fixing of the ink on the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C issuppressed. In addition, the evaporation rate E2 of the secondmaintenance liquid is higher than the evaporation rate E1 of the firstmaintenance liquid; therefore, the second maintenance liquid tends toevaporate in the internal space 67 of the cap 62 in the cap position,and the internal space 67 is maintained at a high humidity.

Furthermore, the water-soluble organic solvent having the maximum amountin the first maintenance liquid and the water-soluble organic solventhaving the maximum amount in the second maintenance liquid are the same,so the first maintenance liquid and the second maintenance liquid willnot easily agglomerate when mixed.

Modified Examples

In the image recording device 100, sponge wiper 64 has three spongewipers 64A, 64B, 64C, but the number of sponge wipers 64 is not limitedto three, so long as the number corresponds to the number of ejectingmodules 49A. For example, the number of sponge wipers 64 may be four ormore, or two or less. Furthermore, a sponge wiper 64 is not necessarilyprovided. In the absence of a sponge wiper 64, the nozzle surface 50 issprayed or contacted with the second maintenance liquid by a mechanismsuch as a nozzle that sprays the second maintenance liquid or a spongeimpregnated with the second maintenance liquid, for example. The secondmaintenance liquid that has adhered to the nozzle surface 50 is thenwiped off by the rubber wiper 63.

In the image recording device 100, the support base 61 is provided withthe three rubber wipers 63A, 63B, and 63C, but the number of rubberwipers 63 is not particularly limited as long as it corresponds to thenumber of the ejecting modules 49A. For example, the number of rubberwipers 63 may be four or more, or two or less. Furthermore, the rubberwiper 63 may be omitted. In the absence of a rubber wiper 63, the nozzlesurface 50 may be wiped by a sponge wiper 64, for example.

In the image recording device 100, a holding member 90 is provided onthe lower surface 88 of the lid member 82, but the holding member 90 maybe omitted. In the absence of a holding member 90, for example, thefirst maintenance liquid may be brought into contact with and then wipedby the lips 66A, 66B, 66C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C and the rubberwipers 63A, 63B, 63C, by a mechanism such as a nozzle that sprays thefirst maintenance liquid or a sponge that is impregnated with the firstmaintenance liquid.

In the image recording device 100, the support base 61 is provided withthe three caps 62A, 62B, and 62C, but the number of caps 62 is notparticularly limited as long as it corresponds to the number of theejecting modules 49A. For example, the number of caps 62 may be four ormore, or two or less.

In the image recording device 100, the maintenance mechanism 60 moved tothe wiping position by moving forward from the maintenance position, butcan move to the wiping position by moving rearward from the maintenanceposition. In this case, the sponge wiper 64 may be positioned behind therubber wiper 63.

With the image recording device 100, in the wiping process, the spongewiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 moved relative to the head 38 while thehead 38 was at the wiping position, but the head 38 may move relative tothe sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 when the positions of thesponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 are fixed.

The case was described as an example of an image recording device 100where the maintenance mechanism 60 is supported by the first supportmechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52, and when themaintenance mechanism 60 moves between the maintenance position and thestandby position, the maintenance mechanism is passed between the firstsupport mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52. However, theconfiguration is not limited to this case. The first support mechanism51 and the second support mechanism 52 may, for example, be formed as asingle unit and be capable of changing orientation between the firstorientation and the second orientation, and thereby the maintenancemechanism 60 may be supported.

In addition, with the above Embodiments, the ink is described as anexample of the liquid, but instead of ink, for example, the liquid canbe a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto the paper prior to the inkduring printing, or a post-treatment liquid for overcoating ink that hasalready adhered to the paper. Furthermore, the storage liquid may beused as a cleaning liquid for cleaning the head 38.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention(s) are possible in light of the above teachings. It istherefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims,the invention(s) may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed herein.

1. A liquid discharging device, comprising: a head configured to ejectliquid from a nozzle which is an opening in a nozzle surface of thehead, a cap configured to abut against the nozzle surface at a coveredposition and to separate from the nozzle surface in a retractedposition, a first wiper configured to wipe the nozzle surface, adischarge channel connecting an internal space of the cap to an outsideof the cap, and a controller, wherein the controller executes: a firstmaintenance process in which a first maintenance liquid is brought intocontact with the cap in the retracted position and the first wiper, anda second maintenance process in which a second maintenance liquiddifferent from the first maintenance liquid is distributed to theinternal space of the cap and the discharge channel.
 2. The liquiddischarging device according to claim 1, further comprising awater-absorbent cleaning member to retain the first maintenance liquid,wherein the controller causes the water-absorbent cleaning member tocome into contact with the cap positioned in the retracted position andthe first wiper, during the first maintenance process.
 3. The liquiddischarging device according to claim 1, further comprising: a tankstoring the second maintenance liquid; and a supply channel configuredto supply the second maintenance liquid from the tank to the internalspace of the cap, wherein the controller causes the second maintenanceliquid which is supplied to the internal space of the cap through thesupply channel to flow out to the discharge channel, during the secondmaintenance process.
 4. The liquid discharging device according to claim1, wherein the controller executes a third maintenance process in whichthe second maintenance liquid is stored in the internal space of the cappositioned in the covered position.
 5. The liquid discharging deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein the controller causes: the secondmaintenance liquid to flow into the internal space of the cap at a firstflow velocity, in the second maintenance process; and the secondmaintenance liquid to flow into the internal space of the cap at asecond flow velocity, in the third maintenance process, wherein thesecond flow velocity is slower than the first flow velocity.
 6. Theliquid discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the controllerexecutes a fourth maintenance process in which the nozzle surface iswiped with the first wiper.
 7. The liquid discharging device accordingto claim 6, further comprising: a water-absorbent second wiper, whereinthe second wiper holds the second maintenance liquid, and the controllercauses the second wiper to come into contact with the nozzle surface toclean the nozzle surface in the fourth maintenance process.
 8. Theliquid discharging device according to claim 7, wherein the controllercauses the first wiper to wipe the nozzle surface after the second wiperhas cleaned the nozzle surface in the fourth maintenance process.
 9. Theliquid discharging device according to claim 7, further comprising: achannel to configured to supply the second maintenance liquid to thesecond wiper, wherein the controller causes the second maintenanceliquid to be supplied to the second wiper through the channel and thento be discharged from the channel, in the fourth maintenance process.10. The liquid discharging device according to claim 3, wherein: theliquid discharging device is equipped with a plurality of the heads, aplurality of the caps, a plurality of the supply channels, and aplurality of the discharge channels; each of the supply channels isconnected to the internal space of each of the caps; each of thedischarge channels is connected to the internal space of each of thecaps; the liquid discharge device further comprises a plurality ofsuction pumps each provided in each of the discharge channels and amotor controlled by the controller to operate the suction pump; and asum of a volume of the supply channel, a volume upstream of the suctionpump in the discharge channel, and a volume of the internal space of thecap is equal for each of the caps.
 11. The liquid discharging deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein a viscosity of the first maintenanceliquid is greater than a viscosity of the second maintenance liquid. 12.The liquid discharging device according to claim 1, wherein anevaporation rate of the first maintenance liquid is lower than anevaporation rate of the second maintenance liquid.
 13. The liquiddischarging device according to claim 1, wherein each of the firstmaintenance liquid and the second maintenance liquid comprises at leastone water-soluble organic solvent, and a water-soluble organic solventhaving the maximum amount in the first maintenance liquid is the same asa water-soluble organic solvent having the maximum amount in the secondmaintenance liquid.
 14. The liquid discharging device according to claim1, wherein the liquid ejected from the nozzle comprises resinmicroparticles and water.
 15. The liquid discharging device according toclaim 14, wherein a viscosity V1 of the first maintenance liquid, aviscosity V2 of the second maintenance liquid, and a viscosity V3 of theliquid ejected from the nozzle are in a relationship of: V1 > V3 > V2.16. The liquid discharging device according to claim 14, wherein asurface tension T1 of the first maintenance liquid is greater than asurface tension T3 of the liquid ejected from the nozzle; and a surfacetension T2 of the second maintenance liquid is greater than the surfacetension T3.
 17. The liquid discharging device according to claim 14,wherein an evaporation rate E1 of the first maintenance liquid, anevaporation rate E2 of the second maintenance liquid, and an evaporationrate E3 of the liquid ejected from the nozzle are in a relationship of:E3 > E2 > E1.
 18. A method for performing maintenance of a liquiddischarging device, comprising: bringing a first maintenance liquid intocontact with a first wiper and a cap positioned in a retracted positionseparated from a nozzle surface of a head of a liquid dischargingdevice; and providing a second maintenance liquid different from thefirst maintenance liquid to an internal space of the cap and a dischargechannel connecting the internal space and an outside of the cap.